Lorain superintendent: Our district can do better

The Chronicle-Telegram LORAIN — The state of Lorain Schools is weak, Superintendent Tom Tucker conceded in his first State of the Schools speech Tuesday.

In a 55-minute, rapid-fire address, Tucker outlined to Board of Educa­tion members his plan to remove the school district from academic emer­gency and prevent a state academic takeover. He said communication and cooperation between administrators, teachers and parents is crucial.

“Unless we talk to one another, observe one another and help one another, nothing’s going to change,” he said. “We can do better.”

Lorain met just one of 26 standards in the 2011-12 school year. Districts in academic emergency for three straight years are taken over by a state-appointed academic commis­sion.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure that (doesn’t) happen,” said Tucker, who was hired in August.

About 85 percent of Lorain students live in poverty, and 87 percent don’t meet minimum state standards when they enter kindergarten. Tucker said a key to improving academics is through the re-institution of full-day kindergarten, cut last year in elimi­nating $7.3 million of a $12 million deficit.

Full-day kindergarten was reinsti­tuted last month thanks to Novem­ber’s passage of a 4.8-mill, seven-year levy that will raise $3.12 million annu­ally. The district is also intensifying math and reading improvement for third- through eighth-graders to improve state test scores.

As part of the “skill building initiative,” board members rehired eight laid-off teachers, who will be paid with federal taxpayer grant money, to work with struggling students. Pri­vate grant money will be spent on increasing coordination and efficiency of administra­tors and reducing duplication.

Tucker said some grants are effective, but the district must reduce its dependence on them.

“Some of the grants we have are in direct conflict with each other,” he said. “A lot of us joke: The good news is that you got the grant. The bad news is the grant. Because with the grant comes a ton of reporting, and you almost have to hire a full­time person just to do that.”

Tucker said improved alter­native education to graduate students at risk of dropping out and better tracking of students who leave the district will improve graduation rates. Tucker, who is promising to downsize the Charleston Administration Center, prom­ised greater accountability and teamwork from administra­tors, students and teachers and dedication to success.

“It’s hard to put into practice, but those have got to be your guiding principles,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

In other business

Martha Smith, chairwoman of the Bond Issue Oversight Committee, delivered the com­mittee’s annual report. Smith said the district’s $208 million school construction project, begun in 2002, remains finan­cially sound. State taxpayers’ share of the project is 81 per­cent, nearly $169 million, and local taxpayers’ share is 19 per­cent, about $39.6 million, through last year. Nearly $137 million has been spent.

Bids for construction of the $73 million new Lorain High School are expected to be sought by the fall or winter. Demolition of the former Whit­tier Middle School last year cost about $419,000.

Board members approved holding meetings on the sec­ond and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m., switching from the second and fourth Wednesdays, which they approved at their annual orga­nizational meeting in last month. The change accommo­dated board member Tony Dimacchia’s schedule. Dimac­chia, board members Mitchell Fallis and Bill Sturgill and Board President Tim Williams voted yes while board member Jim Smith voted no. Smith said there was no legal precedent for switching meeting dates midyear and votes could be potentially challenged in court.

Contact Evan Goodenow at 329-7129 or egoodenow@chroniclet.com.

LESSON PLAN

In his first State of the Schools speech, Superintendent Tom Tucker on Tuesday presented an ambitious reform agenda. His plan includes:

■ Review all instructional programs and curriculum to improve state test scores.